United States – February 27, 2025— Stacey Moss, President and CEO of Public Knowledge®, and Will Hornsby, Senior Vice President of Delivery, were guests on The Children’s Law Podcast. They discussed the recently published book Families Belong Together: A Call to Replace the Child Welfare System. Their discussion emphasizes the need for a bold reimagining of the existing system rather than just settling for small, piecemeal changes.  

Stacey and Will highlighted how the child welfare system is fundamentally flawed, designed to separate families rather than provide meaningful support. It often exacerbates trauma by removing children from their families without addressing the root causes of the problems they are facing. Built on inequities, this approach unfairly impacts families of color and those facing poverty.

“Every removal is traumatic, and only the very extreme cases of physical or sexual abuse are ones in which a kid needs to be removed. In every other situation, we should figure out how to fix the housing issue, poverty, education, or whatever else is going on in the home and keep them together. Find ways to lift parents up, not break them down,” said Stacey Moss, President and CEO of Public Knowledge®. 

They highlighted the necessity of prioritizing the voices of those with lived experiences, as families have been directly affected.

“It’s engineered to separate families, not to support families,” said Wiil Hornsby, Senior Vice President of Delivery of Public Knowledge®. 

Their discussion on The Children’s Law Podcast reinforces the urgency of systemic change in child welfare. It highlights children’s attorneys’ critical role in advocating for solutions that empower, not penalize, families. Shifting from a deficit-based approach is essential. Families should be recognized for their strengths, not just their struggles.

Families Belong Together: A Call to Replace the Child Welfare System is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The original articles that shaped the book can still be accessed on the firm’s website. For more information about the book or to listen to the full interview, visit The Children’s Law Podcast website. 

About Public Knowledge®   

Public Knowledge® is a national management consulting firm focused on Programs, People, and Systems. We exist to help our clients solve tough problems and thrive in complex environments. For over 30 years, we have helped our clients achieve their goals by understanding their needs and objectives as a foundation for our problem-solving process. We aim to provide our clients with unparalleled service and act as their catalyst for change. Learn more by visiting pubknow.com.